Writing Through the Chaos: A Conversation with Emily Ann on "Messy" Drafts and WWI Romance episode artwork

EPISODE · May 21, 2026 · 28 MIN

Writing Through the Chaos: A Conversation with Emily Ann on "Messy" Drafts and WWI Romance

from Between the Lines · host Jennifer Sienes

How do you find the focus to write a sweeping historical romance when you're in the thick of homeschooling toddlers and preparing for a new baby? In today's episode, we sit down with  Emily Ann, author of the poignant WWI novel When I Stand. Emily takes us behind the scenes of her "messy" writing style, explaining why she embraces a less-than-perfect first draft to get the story on the page. We dive into the inspiration behind When I Stand, a story that blends the grit of the Great War with a powerful romance, and discuss the real-world discipline it takes to be a "mom-preneur." In this episode, we discuss: The "Messy" Draft Philosophy: Why Emily doesn't wait for perfection and how she tackles the editing process later. Writing in the Margins: Emily's secrets to finding time for her craft while homeschooling two children. Balancing Act: Preparing for a third child while maintaining a consistent writing schedule. Researching WWI: What drew her to this specific era and how she weaves historical accuracy with emotional romance. The Power of Story: Why she believes historical fiction is a vital tool for exploring faith and resilience.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published May 21, 2026

Embed this episode

NOW PLAYING

Writing Through the Chaos: A Conversation with Emily Ann on "Messy" Drafts and WWI Romance

0:00 28:15

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Between the Lines?

This episode is 28 minutes long.

When was this Between the Lines episode published?

This episode was published on May 21, 2026.

Can I download this Between the Lines episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!